The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-18
Powderly's Faction, Being Worsted, Set Trap
for Barry and Bailey, Which Works the
Wrong Way and Catches Its Inventors.
Committeeman Bailey Defends Himself
in Lengthy and Bitter Speech,
In the Course Of Which He Brings Serious
Charges Against the General Execu-
tive BOard-General Labor News.
THE wARRING KNIGHTS.

|
| Bitter Contest, in Which Anti-Powderly
People Score a Partial Victory.
| Special to the Indianapolis Journal
MINNEAPoLIs, Mimi, Oct 1.-THE Powderly
| forces were routed hand and foot in the General
! Assembly of the knights of Labor this afternoon,
| but in their fight they were intercepted by con-
| tingent Of the enemy waving an olive branch and
| tonight they are bivouacking between the two
| camps It was late this afternoon when the ques-
ton called on the report Of the committee on
laws, reducing the membership Of the executive
board by two and placing the appointing power
in the hands of the general master workman.
The vote was viva voce and the voting of nays
was so strong and resonant that the supporters
Of the administration did not dare
to demand call of the roll
Instead, they attempted little piece
Of strategy by submitting a resolution calling
for the designations of the members of the gem
eral executive board, in the hope that those of
Barry and Bailey would be accepted and the
rest refused. The resolution was adopted
by vote of liz to 64. and in a brief
speech Mr.. Powderly presented the designations
of himself, Carleton, Hayes Mcclure, and
Aylesford. Barry and Bailey, however, refused
to fall into the trap They had been elected,
they said. for two years, and they did not pro-
pose to retire unless charges were preferred
against them and their removal effected by con-
stitutional means. The result was that the ad-
herents of the administration had no alternative
left but TO vote against the acceptance of the
designations that they themselves had de-
manded. On this again, there was call for
the roll. As q climax to the burlesque a vote
of confidence in the members Of the board who
had submitted their designations submitted
.nl ;th oh1,< 1o11
ing mo"
The situation to night is precisely where it was
when the fight began. The opposition is turbu-
lent, and looks upon the result as a signal vic
tory. On the other hand most of the admins.
tration men say that the vote of confidence in
Powderly and his faction is all that can be de-
sired although there some who insist that
it will be impossible to work in harmony with
the mlacontents for another year, and that the
peremptory resignation which he prepared at
midnight Friday will certainly be forthcorn-
ing in the morning.
After the convention had adj journed and sup
per had been disposed Of, the general master
workman and his adherents on the board went
into conference and at late hour they were
still inaccessible.
Over a score took part in the debate to-day,
and at times, barring actual violence, the assem-
bly, was a miniature edition of a Donny brook
fair. Baileys speech created a sensation.
Among other things he said. 1T is not out of
the way for me to say that this is an unusual
spectacle. The leading officials of this great or
ganization, VINO are elected to carry out the
purposes of this order by the workinemen of
America. are charged with a category
of crimes that would put to shame the
avsias1 sns .oav criminal Are who es sas
is the question to be decided by this convention.
1t is well known that this order not estab-
find in this investieation2 Nothing less than
welllaid plot, nest of plots in fact, Matched by
the general officers and carried out in different
parts OF the country that would make the worst
political heelers in the country shout their ad-
miration. l hope this has been explained away
by the men charged with it to the satisfaction
of this body. but cannot think that it has.
don't think this body Of believe that the
charges have all been satisfactorily explained
away. 1t must be evident why John Hayes is
kept in this present position. He is wire
puller-one of the scheming kind. He is tool.
OF whom? The evidence so far presented pretty
firmly establishes that fact. But there may be
more back of all this Is he sent around the
country using the orders money for the good Of
labor legislation alone2 Might he not be useful
70 one or the other of the great political parties
who are battling for supremacy But that is
not for me to say. Let this body think these
things and then decide"
The speaker went in about this strain in
reviewing the other changes. He strongly de-
Powderly in employing men to work for church
interests without the knowledge and sanction of
the other officers of the order, and paying them
out of the funds of the order. There is a sus-
picien in my mind" said Mr. Bailey, with con-
siderable heat, shat Powderly has allied him
self with the Church OF Rome, and this to the
disorganization of the order" In closing his
speech, Bailey got very much excited He as
serted that the resolution to reduce the execu-
tive board to four members was concocted and
sprung on the convention at the instieation of
Powderly and the other general officers. 81
hope this convention will not make itself party
to any such scheme" he said; II don't believe
that it will 1t would be error that the dele
gates would regret as long they live. l was
elected with the rest of the executive board at
Richmond for q two yeare term. / am entitled
to retain my seat until the term expires | don't
intend to step down and out until that time. I
give Mr.. Powderly and his friends fair warning
now that don't intend to do it, This conven-
ton may pass this resolution if it Will. I will |
not accept the terms If it is passed: neither will
my friends. Gentlemen, I mean what l say. If |
this resolution IS passed, Mr. Barry, our friends
and myself will pick up our hats and walk out of
this ball"
A Delegate-Go ahead. Mr. Bailey. This or
can spare you We get along |
without you and your friends
II expected this" responded the speaker.
You voiced, my friend. the sentiments of Mr..
Powdery aud others that could mention when
you said that. Let this business go gentle
men; we will see who will be the gamers in the
and. / want to say, though. in this connection,
that am making no idle threats"
oeueioi OoSro.ary Liscunan next TOOK the
door to combat the charges made against him.
He said that there was no truth whatever in the
charges made that he had suppressed commune
cations sent to headquarters by d. A, 1856 The
charge that certain papers in connection with
ocal attached to d. A. 135 had been suppressed
vas false, and there were proofs that the local
was not at that time in existence
Litchman further said that various statements
nad bsen sent out from D. A 49, that contained
bitter attacks on Mr.. Powdery and other Off
'ers. He charged that Donnelly. the stenog-
ADner |
Bailey and Barry, and that since the eouven-
ion has been in ses sion in this city he had sent
o Bailey important documents rnat should
lave been sent to the general secretary
And so the washing of dirty linen ran along
or hours. Not satisfied with their defeat on
he main question, the administration endeav-
red to bring about the success of their plans by
ther methods. A proposition was submitted to
o change Article 3. of the constitution. as to
onfne the elective officers to the general master
vorkman. general worthy foreman. general